Saturday, September 16th, 2017. Brussels.

His Lordship Célestin Hakizimana, Bishop of the Diocese of Gikongoro - accompanied by the Rector of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Kibeho - was in Brussels. Invited by "Mater Dolosa» Movement, he met people and groups interested in the Message of the Mother of the Word. It should be remembered that the Virgin Mary appeared in Kibeho, in the south of Rwanda, between 1981 and 1989 and delivered her message to the whole world (see the summary of it on this siteweb).

The venue was the beautiful and spacious Basilica of the Sacred Heart of the local name of National Basilica of Koekelberg. Although the participation of Rwandans could be majority, it is true that it was indeed an international meeting. The above mentioned movement, Mater Dolorosa, is founded in Belgium two years ago, and has already ramifications in several countries including Rwanda, Cameroon, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, France, England, the Netherlands. They also have some few members in other countries.

The main task the Bishop of Gikongoro achieved in this encounter is, first of all, to preside over the celebration of the feast of Our Lady of seven Sorrows and to help deepen the message of the Virgin Mary at Kibeho, in order to stand by Her as faithful messengers; and then - in the next day, September, 17th - talk with the members of Mater Dolorosa Movement in their meeting held in Saint Francis Parish of Waterloo.

Mgr Célestin gave a talk on the Apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Kibeho and Her message; the Rector of the Sanctuary, P. Pawlowski Zbigniew, spoke on the situation and current activities of the Sanctuary. Dr. Fidèle Sibomana, who was a member of the Medical Commission at the time of the apparitions, gave a heart touching testimony from his experience based on the mission entrusted to him and its fruits in his own life. Bishop Frederic Rubwejanga, who was a member of the Theological Commission, gave his testimony, and clarified certain facts and events.

It is also important to mention the witness of David Durant, a cartoonist, illustrator and portrait painter, who has just produced paintings on the Seven Sorrows of the Virgin Mary, as well as a comic book on the Apparitions of Our Lady of Kibeho available on the internet.

The title of Mater Dolorosa (Our Lady of Sorrows) doesn’t have anything to do with dolorism. It is rather a free choice referring to one of the major themes in the message of the Mother of the Word. Indeed, the visionaries saw Her weeping, afflicted because of the incredulity and impenitence of people; and, Herself taught to one of them how to pray the rosary of seven sorrows and, to another, She invited to accept suffering in faith and joy for the conversion of the world.

During this encounter, participants were given the opportunity to ask questions. It came out those related to the message, on visionaries - those not recognized officially -, on the evolution and functioning of the Sanctuary and the networking with the various movements that are spreading the message of Kibeho.

Such a meeting with the presence of first-hand witnesses, including the classmates of the visionaries at the time of the apparitions, was a great chance to be considered, at least, as a temporal holder carrying a permanent message for the whole world.

Fr. François Harelimana, SAC

Brussels